PARIS — The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) has signed a contract with Arquus and Nexter, a company of KNDS, for the development of the Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE) on behalf of the OCCAR VBAE Participating States Belgium and France.
The VBAE is a new armored 4×4 vehicle that is expected to be similar to the US Army’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and is intended to replace the French Army’s Véhicule Blindé Léger (VBL).
The VBAE program was launched in response to the need of the French and Belgian armies for a modern, innovative light armored vehicle that is fully integrated into the battlefield information system and offers a high added value in terms of reconnaissance and combat.
The VBAE program covers the preparation and definition phase, which anticipates further development, production, and in-service support (ISS) contracts shortly. The total value of this first phase is EUR15 million ($16.2 million) and will last approximately two years.
The VBAE program takes advantage of studies performed in the frame of European projects, such as EDIDP FAMOUS and EDF FAMOUS II, in which Arquus and Nexter were the beneficiaries. The Belgian company John Cockerill Defense (JCD), also a member of the FAMOUS consortium, will be a major sub-contractor.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.
For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
